Kerala landslides: 93 people dead, 128 injured, says Kerala CM

Read below: TN CM Stalin deploys rescue team led by two IAS officers to Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram — Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Tuesday that 93 people died and around 128 were injured in the massive landslides in the northern Wayanad district, leaving behind a trail of destruction and despair.

Vijayan said that of the dead, 34 bodies were identified and 18 were handed over to families.

The CM also said that 16 bodies were recovered from the Chaliyar river at Pothukal village in the district. Besides that, body parts were also recovered by those carrying out search and rescue operations, he said.

Read related story: Kerala landslide: Death toll mounts to 57, rescue efforts intensify

Vijayan said that the initial landslide occurred around 2 am and the next one hit around 4.30 am, leaving hundreds trapped beneath the debris and many more being swept away.

The landslides occurred when the villagers were sleeping, catching them off-guard and resulting in the high number of casualties, he said.

Vijayan said 45 camps have been set up in the district and around 3,069 people have been rehabilitated there.

Evaluated the ongoing relief and rescue operations at Chooralmala, Wayanad, following the severe landslide, in a visit to the @KeralaSDMA office. pic.twitter.com/WjnHSYOIYv

— Pinarayi Vijayan (@pinarayivijayan) July 30, 2024

TN CM Stalin deploys rescue team led by two IAS officers to Kerala

Chennai, July 30 (IANS) — Chief Minister MK Stalin has deployed a team from Tamil Nadu to coordinate the rescue operations in Wayanad in Kerala where a landslide in the wee hours of Tuesday led to the loss of 84 lives, left scores hurt and many more trapped inside the debris.

The two IAS officers, KS Sameeran and Joe Vargheese will coordinate the relief and rescue team from Tamil Nadu.

A statement from the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s Office said that a relief team from the state comprising 20 firemen led by a Joint Director of the Fire and Rescue Department will reach Wayanad later in the day.

As many as 20 disaster and relief personnel led by a Superintendent of Police along with 10 doctors and nurses will also be part of the Tamil Nadu team deputed for Wayanad.

CM Stalin spoke to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and assured him of all support from Tamil Nadu.

The TN CM has already announced a financial assistance of Rs 5 crore to the Kerala government due to the tragedy.